Sharps disposal system

ABSTRACT

A disposal system particularly adapted for hospital use comprising two portions. The first portion is composed of a hollow, outer enclosure adapted for wall-mounting and including an elongated slot inlet at the top with a barrier adjacent the slot for restricting access to the interior of the enclosure. The enclosure also includes a hinged access door for permitting insertion of the second portion of the invention, an inner container, therewithin. The inner container includes an inlet formed in registration with the slot when installed within the enclosure. The inner container includes a pivotal closure which may be locked in place when full in order to prevent access to the contents of the container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to disposal of contaminated items, and inparticular to a disposal system for use in a hospital or similarenvironment where contaminated items must be collected and disposed ofwithout creating a hazard for patients or hospital personnel.

In hospitals, clinics and similar institutions, contamination is ofutmost concern. Disposable, single use patient-care products, which usedto be the exception, are now the norm. Current guidelines of the U.S.Center for Disease Control require immediate disposal of hypodermicneedles or other sharps at their site of use immediately following aninjection.

Many different types of containers are available for sharps disposal,including many manufactured by Sage Products, Inc., the assignee of thisapplication. Such containers are normally portable and provide somewhatlimited protection against an individual's gaining access to sharpswithin the container. Improper reuse and possible contamination canensue.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a secure, readily-accessible system for disposaland comprises a hollow, outer enclosure and an inner, disposablecontainer located within the outer enclosure. An elongated slot isprovided at the top of the enclosure for permitting access to itsinterior. A barrier means is disposed adjacent the slot for restrictingaccess to the interior of the enclosure, with at least a portion of thebarrier comprising a constriction extending over the slot. The innercontainer includes an inlet in registration with the slot to allowdisposal of contaminated items therewithin.

.[.Preferablky,.]. .Iadd.Preferably .Iaddend.the constriction adjacentthe slot of the outer enclosure comprises a raised cowl. Similarly, theinlet in the inner container includes a hood disposed within andgenerally conforming to the cowl when the inner container is installedwithin the outer enclosure. The inner container is also provided with apivotal closure which is disposed within the inlet.

In order to inpede or prevent access to the interior of the innercontainer after it has been filled, the hood of the inner containerincludes means for locking the pivotal closure. In accordance with thepreferred embodiment of the invention, the locking means comprises aplurality of catches within the hood, each catch including a stop meanswhich engages the closure when the closure is pivoted in one directionpast the stop means into the interior of the hood. The configuration ofthe stop means prevents pivoting of the closure in the oppositedirection when the closure has been pivoted past one of the stop means.

It is preferred that the system include means for sensing the level ofthe contents within the inner .[.containere.]. .Iadd.container.Iaddend..In accordance with one form of the invention, in order to do so thepivotal .[.coosure.]. .Iadd.closure .Iaddend.is provided with a sensingmeans which comprises a downwardly-depending leg extending from theclosure into the inner container. In accordance with a second form ofthe invention, the inner container includes transparent windows atopposite sides thereof, and a visual detector, such as a photoelectricdevice, is installed adjacent the windows. Adequate filling of thecontainer will be detected by the photoelectric device and the filledcontainer can be removed from the enclosure and discarded.

The outer enclosure is provided with an access door in order to permiteasy removal and insertion of the inner container into the outerenclosure. .[.Whilte.]. .Iadd.While .Iaddend.it is preferred that thefront side of the enclosure comprise the door, other configurations,such as hinging the top of the enclosure, will also provide an adequateaccess for removal of the inner container.

Not only does the barrier adjacent the slot include the cowl extendingover the slot, but also preferably a raised shelf is formed at onelongitudinal side of the slot. The shelf and the cowl definetherebetween a limited opening in the outer enclosure so that a handcannot inadvertently or advertently pass through the slot of the outerenclosure into the interior of the inner container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described in greater detail in the ensuing descriptionof one example embodying the best mode of the invention, taken inconjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view, with portions cut away, illustratingthe sharps disposal system according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is a top plan view thereof, and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along lines 3--3 ofFIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF AN EXAMPLE EMBODYING THE BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION

The Sharps Disposal System according to the invention is designatedgenerally at 10 in the drawing figures. Primary components of the system10 are a hollow, outer enclosure 12 and an inner container 14 shaped tobe located within the outer enclosure 12.

Turning first to the outer enclosure 12, the enclosure 12 includes anaccess door 16 secured by hinges 18 onto the main body 20 of theenclosure 12. Opposite the hinges 18, the .[.doot.]. .Iadd.door.Iaddend.16 includes a lock 22 having a rotatable latch 24 which may beengaged behind a lug 26 extending inwardly from the body 20. When thelatch 24 is rotated horizontally (as illustrated in FIG. 1), the latch24 is engaged behind the lug 26, and the door 16 is locked. When thelatch 24 is rotated to a vertical orientation, the leg 26 is no longerengaged, and the door 16 may be opened.

The main body 20 of the outer enclosure 12 includes a raised cowl 28extending over a slot 30 in the top of the body 20. The cowl 28constricts access to the slot 30 in order to restrict access to theinterior of the outer enclosure 12, for reasons apparent below.

The door 16 also includes a raised shelf 32 extending along one side ofthe slot 30. The combination of the shelf 32 and the cowl 28 comprises abarrier restricting access to the interior of the outer enclosure 12.The realtive spacing of the shelf 32 and the cowl 28 defines a limitedopening 34 which restricts access to the interior of the enclosure 12.As described in somewhat greater detail below, the opening 34 isdimensioned so that, in combination with the inner container 14 asdescribed below, access is inhibited to the extent that it is difficultor impossible for an adult human hand to pass through the opening 34.

The inner container 14 is composed of a receptacle 36 and a cover 38.The cover 38 is snap-fit to the receptacle 36. As best shown in FIG. 3,the receptacle 36 includes a peripheral, outwardly-extending flange 40and the cover 38 includes a skirt 42 having an inwardly-extending lip 44which snaps beneath the flange 40 when the cover 48 is placed on thereceptacle 36.

The cover 38 of the container 14 includes .[.in.]. .Iadd.an.Iaddend.integral hood 46 which, as best shown in FIG. 3, is shaped toconform to the cowl 28 when the container 14 is installed within theouter enclosure 12.

The container 14 includes a pivotal closure 48 installed within an inlet50 formed in the cover 38. The closure 48 includes an integral rod 52serving as the pivot for the closure 48, the rod extending beyondopposite ends of the closure 48 into opposite notches 54 formed inopposite sides of the receptacle 36. Tabs 56, extending from oppositeends of the rod 52, extend through apertures 58 in the cover 38 andfurther extend through indentations 60 formed in the top of the mainbody 20 of the outer enclosure 12.

The closure 48 also includes downwardly-depending leg 62 which extendsinto the interior of the inner container 14. The leg 62 serves twofunctions. With the orientation of the closure 48 as shown in thedrawing figures, the leg 62 extends into the interior of the container14 and will strike the contents therein if the receptacle 36 has beenadequately filled. Thus, the leg 62 serves as a means for sensing thelevel of the contents within the container 14. Also, when the closure 48is opened (pivoted to the left in FIG. 3), the leg 62 is raisedsubstantially covering the inlet 50. Sharps or other items to bedeposited within the inner container 14 are placed on the leg 62 whenthe closure 48 is opened, and when the closure 48 is returned to theclosed orientation shown in FIG. 3, the sharps then drop within thecontainer 14.

When the container 14 has been filled with sharps, it is preferablydiscarded. In order to secure the contents therewithin, a plurality ofcatches or locks 64 are formed in the interior of the hood 46. Byapplying pressure to the face of the closure 48, the closure is forcedwithin the hood 46 and snaps past the first or both of the catches 64.Due to the configuration of the catches 64, the closure 48 may bepivoted past the catches toward the interior of the hood 46, but isprevented from returning. The contents of the container 14 are thereforesecured.

If desired, the hood 46 may also include a temporary catch 66 for theclosure 48. As shown in FIG. 3, the temporary catch 66 has a notch 68formed to engage the top edge of the closure 48 to retain the closure inplace.

As explained above, tabs 56 may be used to pivot the closure 48. Ifdesired, the closure 48 may also be fitted with one or more additionaltabs 70 which can be used in .[.palce.]. .Iadd.place .Iaddend.of, inaddition to, the tabs 58 for opening the closure 48.

The downwardly-depending leg 62 provides a tactile sensor fordetermining the level of the contents within the inner container 14.Instead of the leg 62 or in addition thereto, the system 10 may alsoinclude a photoelectric sensor 72 and transmitter 74 mounted in theinterior of the outer enclosure 12 in registration with one another andaligned with opposite windows 76 formed in opposite side walls of thereceptacle 36. When the level of the contents within the container 14 isadequate to inhibit a light beam between the transmitter 74 and detector72, this condition may be transmitted to a light (not illustrated) orany other means of indicating that the inner container 14 has beenfilled and is ready for removal and replacement.

Both the outer enclosure 12 and the inner container 14 may be moldedfrom a suitable plastic material. Because the inner container 14 isintended to be disposable, if it is formed of plastic, polypropelene ora similar plastic is most suitable since, when incinerated, the productsof combustion are carbon dioxide and water. The outer enclosure 12 ispreferably formed of a stiffer plastic which does not readily deform inuse.

The purpose of the cowl 28 is twofold. As described above, the cowl 28in combination with the shelf 32, define a limited opening to theinterior of the enclosure 12. In addition, the cowl 28 stiffens therelatively flexible hood 46 so that a hand cannot be forced into theopening 34, deforming the opening and gaining access to the contents ofthe container 14.

The receptacle 36 is preferably symmetrical, and thus two notches 54 areformed in each of the opposite ends thereof to accomodate the cover 38and closure 48 in any possible orientation.

While a primary and preferred embodiment of the invention has beenillustrated and described above, various changes can be made to theinvention without depating from the spirit thereof or scope of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A disposal system comprisinga. a hollow, outerenclosure, b. an elongated slot for permitting access to the interior ofthe outer enclosure, c. barrier means disposed adjacent said slot forrestricting access to the interior of said outer enclosure, at least aportion of said barrier means comprising a constriction extending oversaid slot, and d. a removable inner container disposed within said outerenclosure, said inner container including an inlet in registration with.[.an.]. .Iadd.and .Iaddend.no larger in dimension than said slot, saidinlet extending into said slot.
 2. A disposal system according to claim1 in which said constriction comprises a cowl.
 3. A disposal systemaccording to claim 2 in which said inlet includes a hood on said innercontainer disposed within and generally conforming to said cowl.
 4. Adisposal system according to claim 3 including a pivotal closuredisposed within said inlet, said hood including means for locking saidclosure to prevent access to the interior of said inner container.
 5. Adisposal system according to claim 4 in which said locking meanscomprises a plurality of catches within said hood, each catch includingstop means engaging said closure when said closure is pivoted in onedirection past said stop means into the interior of said hood, said stopmeans preventing pivoting of said closure in the opposite direction. 6.A disposal system according to claim 1 including means for sensing thelevel of contents within said inner container.
 7. A disposal systemaccording to claim 6 including a pivotal closure disposal within saidinlet, and in which said sensing means comprises a downwardly-dependingleg extending from said closure within said inner container.
 8. Adisposal system according to claim 6 in which said inner containerincludes transparent windows in opposite sides thereof, and said sensingmeans includes a visual detector adjacent said windows.
 9. A disposalsystem according to claim 8 in which said visual detector comprises aphotoelectric detector mounted in said outer enclosure adjacent one saidwindow and a photoelectric transmitter mounted in said outer enclosureadjacent the other of said windows and in registration with saidphotoelectric detector.
 10. A disposal system according to claim 1including means permitting removal of said inner container from saidouter enclosure.
 11. A disposal system according to claim 10 in whichsaid removal means comprises an access door in said outer enclosure. 12.A disposal system according to claim 1 in which said barrier meansincludes a raised shelf at one longitudinal side of said slot, and saidconstriction comprises a cowl extending from the opposite longitudinalside of said slot, said shelf and cowl defining therebetween a limitedopening to said outer enclosure.
 13. A disposal system comprisinga. ahollow, outer enclosure, b. a slot in the top of said outer enclosurefor permitting access to the interior of said outer enclosure, c.barrier means disposed adjacent said slot for restricting access to theinterior of said outer enclosure, said barrier means including a cowlextending above and over said slot, d. an inner container disposedwithin said outer enclosure, said inner container having an inlet inalignment with and no larger in dimension than said slot, said inletextending into said slot, and e. means permitting removal of said innercontainer from said outer enclosure.
 14. A disposal system according toclaim 13 in which said inlet includes a hood on said inner containerdisposed within and generally conforming to said cowl.
 15. A disposalsystem according to claim 13 including a pivotal closure disposed withinsaid inlet, said inner container including means for locking saidclosure to prevent access to the interior of said inner container.
 16. Adisposal system according to claim 13 in which said removal meanscomprises an access door in said outer enclosure.
 17. A disposal systemaccording to claim 13 in which said barrier means includes a raisedshelf at one longitudinal side of said slot, and said cowl extends fromthe opposite longitudinal side of said slot, said shelf and said cowldefining therebetween a limited opening to said outer enclosure.
 18. Adisposal system comprisinga. a hollow, outer enclosure, b. a slot in thetop of said outer enclosure for permitting access to the interior ofsaid outer enclosure, c. barrier means disposed adjacent said slot forrestricting access to the interior of said outer enclosure, said barriermeans including a cowl extending above and over said slot, d. an innercontainer disposed within said outer enclosure, said inner containerhaving an inlet in alignment with said slot, said inlet including a hooddisposed within and generally conforming to said cowl, and e. meanspermitting removal of said inner container from said outer enclosure.19. A disposal system according to claim 19 including a pivotal closuredisposed within said inlet, said hood including means for locking saidclosure to prevent access to the interior of said inner container.
 20. Adisposal system according to claim 19 in which said locking meanscomprises a plurality of catches within said hood, each catch includingstop means engaging said closure when said closure is pivoted in onedirection past said stop means into the interior of said hood, said stopmeans preventing pivoting of said closure in the opposite direction. 21.A disposal system according to claim 18 in which said barrier meansincludes a raised shelf at one longitudinal side of said slot, and saidcowl extends from the opposite longitudinal side of said slot, saidshelf and said cowl defining therebetween a limited opening to saidouter enclosure. .Iadd.
 22. A disposal system comprisinga. a hollow,outer enclosure, b. an elongated slot for permitting access to theinterior of the outer enclosure, c. barrier means disposed adjacent saidslot for restricting access to the interior of said outer enclosure, atleast a portion of said barrier means comprising a constrictionextending over said slot, and d. a removable inner container disposedwithin said outer enclosure, said inner container including an inlet inregistration with said slot, said inlet including means for cooperatingwith said constriction for restricting access to the interior of saidinner container. .Iaddend. .Iadd.23. A disposal system according toclaim 22 in which said means for cooperating comprises a further barrierextending across said inlet. .Iaddend. .Iadd.24. A disposal systemaccording to claim 23 in which said further barrier includes a hood onsaid inner container..Iadd.25. A disposal container according to claim24 in which said constriction comprises a cowl, and said hood isdisposed within and generally conforming to said cowl. .Iaddend.